Friday, July 10, 2009

NBA Update: Trade Reviews - Part II

We'll keep going and look at the rest of the moves in the NBA.

Ron Artest and Shannon Brown re-sign with Los Angeles Lakers - The rich get richer my friends. We all know what Ron Ron brings to the table: Intensity, Defense, 20 ppg, and did I mention intensity. I feel for anone going up against the Lakers next year. They have two bull dogs on the defensive end in Kobe and Ron, and then they have a lot of height and skill behind them. Shannon Brown found his niche last year with the Lakers. He was instrumental in some playoff games and from almost being out of the league, this guy probably will stick around with the Lakers for about 5 more years. He's great for the system since he can guard small or big guards and he can hit shots.

Trevor Ariza signs a 5 year deal with the Houston Rockets - The Rockets need some good news since Yao will probably be out the majority of next year, so this deal had to be done. Ariza brings a bounce and some perimeter scoring (along with some defense) at a reasonable price (about $6M per year). He's 24 and he can get better. When Yao gets back, I think you'll see his game get even better.

Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva sign with the Detroit Pistons - Well, Joe Dumars needed to make some kind of move and this was probably the best one he could make. There's one thing we will know about Detroit next year and that is that they will score, often. Ben and Charlie both come in with reputations for scoring and a knack for not playing defense (what happened to Deeetroit Basketball?!?!?). Dumars has started to fall of his perch as probably one of the better GMs in the game.

Rasheed Wallace signs with the Boston Celtics - Great move for the Celtics. Rasheed gives them more KG like intensity off the bench and some 3 point shooting. With that said, Rasheed should make a living on the block when he comes in the game. This is one of the top 5 big men defenders in the league and he has offensive game. The Celtics just need a few more moves to beef up their bench and they are right back in this thing.

Shawn Marion, Kris Humphries, and Nathan Jawai (from Toronto) for Antoine Wright and Devean George (Dallas) - Shawn Marion should be the happiest guy in the league. His career got started by having a great point guard (Nash) and now he has another in Kidd. He should be able to keep his career averages (18 pts, 10 rebs, and 2 stls) at the same level. I like Kris Humphries (even though he spurned Duke to go to the league) as a big that can move and has some bulk. He should do well for Dallas. Toronto also picked up Hedo Turkoglu in this 4 team deal which was a good deal for them too. Hedo (the Turkish Jordan) is good enough to go into this system and work with Chris Bosh the same way he worked with Dwight Howard. The difference, Bosh can shoot jumpers and hit his free throws. Toronto is going to be dangerous.

Brandon Bass (from Dallas) signs with Orlando Magic for 3 years- You lose Hedo, but you get VC and Brandon Bass. Not a bad off season. Bass will probably start at the 4 for the Magic with Rashard Lewis moving back to his small forward position. Dwight Howard and Bass will be fighting for alley-oops this entire season.

Grant Hill re-signs with the Phoenix Suns - Man oh man. I thought Hill would have left for a chance at a ring with the Celtics. He chose the Suns over the Celtics out of loyalty (does that exist in the NBA?). Good move for the Suns as they salary dump here and there. But I wanted Hill to join Rasheed on the Celtics' bench.


That's it for now. What's your take these moves?

NBA Update: Trade Reviews - Part I

It's been a hot and hectic few weeks in the NBA. Lots of trades have gone down and a few signings that change the landscape of the playoffs and possibly the Finals next year. Let's take a look and see what has happened.

Fabricio Oberto (from Milwaukee) for Amir Johnson (Detroit) - A decent deal for Detroit. As they rebuild they will at least have someone with a pulse in the paint in Oberto. Amir Johnson has looked 'a few years away' for a few years.

Quentin Richardson (from New York) for Darko Milicic (Memphis) plus cash - If you think that Milicic can play, which he has shown at least some promise lately, then this is a good deal for the Knicks who get rid of one person from a crowded wing position and they get a big that is in shape (not Eddy Curry) and can play the system that Dantoni wants. Richardson will come off the bench for the Grizzlies and probably put up some decent points, but this had to hurt Q to go to Memphis.

Jamal Crawford (from Golden State) for Acie Law and Speedy Claxton (Atlanta) - Talk about helping a team get better. Atlanta can now start Crawford and Johnson in their backcourt (if they can't bring back Bibby). Until Crawford learns how to play some D, they may give up some points on a nightly basis, but they will definitely be scoring in bunches. I hope this gives Acie Law a new start in Golden State. I still think this guy can play in the NBA.

Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson (from New Jersey) for Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee, and Tony Battie (Orlando) - This is a great homecoming for VC. He'll be on a team that can battle again for the Eastern Conference title, but Vince can't fall in love with that 3 ball. This was an aggressive move for the Magic because they gave up Courtney Lee who seemed to blossom under Van Gundy. This will mean more minutes for JJ Redick as they try and repeat their success of the past year.

Shaquille O'Neal (from Phoenix) for Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, 2010 2nd round pick, and cash (Cavaliers) - Nothing says stay like bringing in the Big Aristotle. Shaq changes coasts again and has a new mantra, 'Win one for the King'. I like the fact that the Cavs made a move, but I'm wavering on this one. This team resigned Anderson Varejao and they have Big Z, so Shaq gives them a post presence (back to the basket) but how are the 3 of these guys going to play? Mike Brown has his work cut out for him on this one. I expect Shaq to take some games off to get ready for the playoffs and if Mo Williams and 'Derty Red' Delonte West can start hitting the 3 ball like they did during the season, this is a good move to make. For Phoenix, just another salary dump move.

Jason Kidd Re-signed with Dallas for 3 years - Great deal for the Mavs. The Knicks wanted Kidd bad and Mark Cuban got this one done. This will keep the Mavs in that elite group in the West, although not quite Championship caliber.

San Antonio Spurs signed Antonio McDyess, Marcus Haslip, and Malik Hairston - Great move for the Spurs by beefing up their frontcourt. McDyess is a quality big man that won't get in the way of Timmy and the other two guys a great backups. So what if they lost out on Rasheed Wallace.

That's it for now, I'll get Part II out soon.


What do you think of these moves? Did your team go out and make something happen or are they still waiting to see what shakes out?